About Fr. John Bartunek, LC
Fr John Bartunek, LC, S.Th.D, received his BA in History from Stanford University in 1990. He comes from an evangelical Christian background and became a member of the Catholic Church in 1991. After college he worked as a high school history teacher, drama director, and baseball coach. He then spent a year as a professional actor in Chicago before entering the religious Congregation of the Legionaries of Christ in 1993. He was ordained a Catholic priest in 2003 and earned his doctorate in moral theology in 2010. He provided spiritual support on the set of Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ while researching the 2005 Catholic best seller, Inside the Passion, the only authorized, behind-the-scene explanation of the film. Fr John has contributed news commentary regarding religious issues on CNN, Fox, and the BBC. He has appeared on Larry King Live, Hannity, and the Laura Ingraham radio show. He also served as the English-language press liaison for the Vatican’s 2005 Synod of Bishops on the Eucharist. His most widely known book is called: The Better Part: A Christ-Centered Resource for Personal Prayer. He has also published two other titles: Meditations for Mothers and A Guide to Christian Meditation. Fr John currently resides in his Order’s General Directorate in Rome, where he is continuing his writing apostolate. His blog contains Q&A on the spiritual life at www.rcspiritualdirection.com.
181. Crosses with Christ (Luke 9:18-27)
June 19, 2013 by Fr. John Bartunek, LC
Filed under Meditations, The Better Part
“The only petition I would have you put forward on my behalf is that I may be given sufficient inward and outward strength to be as resolute in will as in words, and a Christian in reality instead of only in repute.” - St. Ignatius of Antioch, martyr Luke 9:18-27: Now one day when he was praying alone in the presence of his disciples he put this question to them, ‘Who do the crowds say... Read More
Does God have favorites?
June 17, 2013 by Fr. John Bartunek, LC
Filed under Featured, God's Love
Q: Dear Father John, This is a question that has been bothering me for quite a while. I heard that God has favorites. Admittedly that seems obvious enough in the Bible. But I can’t imagine God loving some people more than others. At the same time, I can’t help but have a twinge of jealousy when I hear how close other people are to Him. I wish my relationship with Him was just as close.... Read More
175. Humble Pie (Luke 7:36-50)
June 12, 2013 by Fr. John Bartunek, LC
Filed under Meditations, The Better Part
“There will be no defense left to you on the day of judgement, when you will be judged according to the sentence you passed on others and you will be dealt with as you have dealt with others.” - St. Cyprian Luke 7:36-50: One of the Pharisees invited him to a meal. When he arrived at the Pharisee’s house and took his place at table, a woman came in, who had a bad name in the town. She... Read More
How does a person accept God’s mercy?
June 8, 2013 by Fr. John Bartunek, LC
Filed under Divine Mercy, Featured, Program of Life, Spiritual Direction
Q: Dear Father John, I am helping a woman in her spiritual growth (mainly through helping her come up with a program of life), and something came up that I wanted to ask you about. She has shared with me some of what she regrets, and some of what she is having a hard time forgiving herself for. Intellectually she knows that God forgives, but she hasn’t accepted His mercy into her heart.... Read More
Fire and Thorns: A Retreat Guide on the Sacred Heart of Jesus
June 5, 2013 by Fr. John Bartunek, LC
Filed under Featured, Retreat Guide, Solemnity
Pope Benedict XVI called devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus “irreplaceably important.” Pope Pius XI called it “the very epitome of our religion.” Why is this devotion so central? And if it is, how are we supposed to tap into it and live it to the full? That’s what this month’s Retreat Guide, Fire and Thorns: A Retreat Guide on the Sacred Heart of Jesus will explore. - In the... Read More
173. Love Conquers Death (Luke 7:11-17)
June 5, 2013 by Fr. John Bartunek, LC
Filed under Meditations, The Better Part
“He was indeed the true God and hence brought it about that the blind saw, the lame walked, the deaf heard, he cleansed those afflicted with leprosy, and by a simple command called the dead back to life.” – St. Gregory Agrigentinus Luke 7:11-17: Now soon afterwards he went to a town called Nain, accompanied by his disciples and a great number of people. When he was near the gate of the... Read More
How does cloistering serve God at the highest level?
June 3, 2013 by Fr. John Bartunek, LC
Filed under Cloister, Featured
Q: Dear Father John, My question is “How does cloistering serve God at the highest level?” Let me explain the origin of my question. In college, I was introduced for the first time to Hasidic Jews. My initial impression was that I found it odd that they isolated themselves so much from others in their pursuit of faith-purity. Couldn’t it be considered odd to say one is devoted to God,... Read More
180. A Test of Faith (Luke 9:1-17)
May 29, 2013 by Fr. John Bartunek, LC
Filed under Meditations, The Better Part
“Christ sent out the apostles as the ministers of his divine will. They were to proclaim that spiritual gospel which runs above natural law and written codes, and to call men to himself.” - St. Procopius of Gaza Luke 9:1-17: He called the Twelve together and gave them power and authority over all devils and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal.... Read More
Graces Given by God
May 27, 2013 by Fr. John Bartunek, LC
Filed under Examen, Featured, Grace, Practicing Presence, Prayer
Q: Dear Father John, I have started saying a daily Morning Offering Prayer in which I ask God with the help of His Grace that I remain all day in a spirit of praise and thanksgiving and that all of my actions be for the purpose of doing His will. However, I find I cannot remain in this spirit all day with the normal pressures of everyday life to deal with that can take my mind off of God. Does... Read More
Should I be looking for another spiritual director?
May 13, 2013 by Fr. John Bartunek, LC
Filed under Finding a Director, Perspective, Spiritual Direction, The Process
Q: Dear Father John, I was wondering if you could give me a bit of perspective. I recently asked a director to help me in my discernment of religious life. After he agreed I wrote out a summary of the context for my perceived call along with a list of my vices/faults, graces/strengths, etc. The arrangement was that after reading the letter, we would talk, with the idea that I would write... Read More
